Ryan LLP Injury Blog

The vast majority of doctors in Ohio are well-qualified and have no prior history of malpractice.  These are the doctors that you want when seeking treatment.  But how do you determine whether your doctor has committed malpractice in the past?  How can you be sure that his or her license is in good standing?  The following general guidelines can be used to find a competent doctor dedicated to treating your health appropriately.  

When you’ve lost a loved one because of someone else’s negligence, Ohio law provides an avenue of legal action you can take to collect restitution for your losses. If you’ve recently lost your spouse, child, or (in some instances) a parent, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit and collect damages.
Below are some basic directives to get the process started. For more specific advice related to your case in Cleveland, consult an attorney in the area.

Informed consent is the process by which a doctor notifies a patient of the risks of a procedure or treatment and gets the patient’s consent to proceed with the treatment. Obtaining informed consent is mandatory; a lack of informed consent could result in legal liability, should the patient suffer harm.

If a doctor is liable for medical malpractice, it will not directly have an impact on the status of their license. Malpractice civil suits and medical licensure determinations are two completely separate processes.  However, the facts of a case may be presented within a civil lawsuit and also to the State Medical Board fo Ohio and the two may result in different determinations.  
lf a doctor is liable for medical malpractice, he or she will be responsible for all the patient’s damages.   Civil lawsuits determine liability and the amount of any damages, not licensure.  Civil lawsuits are also presented to a jury . Medical licensure is overseen by the State Medical Board of Ohio (MBO), which is ultimately presented to and decided by a board of medical doctors.

If there’s one thing Cleveland is known for, aside from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it’s the hospitals. Home to the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic and five other nationally ranked hospitals as rated by U.S. News, our city is one of the best places in the country for top-quality medical care.  But even top-quality medical care does not guarantee problem-free medical care.  Unfortunately, some doctors and hospitals still may make mistakes. When a hospital or medical professional’s error causes your family to suffer damages, you may file a medical malpractice claim to collect compensation for these damages.

There are about 10 million accidents each year, and statistically, the average driver will file an accident claim every 17.9 years, reported Forbes in 2011. It’s prudent to be prepared and know what to do after a car accident in Cleveland should you ever find yourself in that predicament so you’ll better be able to handle the accident.

A report by local television station WKYC has investigated what it calls “Doctors behaving badly.”  In this report, the journalist uncovered numerous instances of physicians being disciplined for behavior that violates their professional code of conduct.  When this behavior causes an injury to a patient, a lawsuit can be brought against the doctor and hospital for medical negligence. 
This report details a very troubling rise in medical negligence that is occurring within the State of Ohio.  More and more doctors are engaging in criminal activity, including writing unnecessary prescriptions, doctors and surgeons under the influence of drugs or alcohol while treating patients, and doctors engaging in sexual assaults upon their patients.  While there is an enforcement board, the enforcement does not address the civil negligence impact.  It also does not focus upon obtaining damages for you and your family.

Traveling on the interstates is a part of life in Cleveland. With our city surrounded by I-90, I-480, I-80, I-77, and I-71, we’re familiar with heavy traffic and thousands of drivers sharing the roads. Driving in Cleveland shouldn’t be a problem if you are a responsible driver, but when negligent drivers choose to drive drunk, even the safest drivers may find themselves the victim of a drunk driving accident.
Before you get in your car again, take a moment to review these hazardous driving behaviors that could indicate you’re near a drunk driver. It just might help you avoid an accident!